St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-29
HsRTX YEARS.
Plymouth Church Celebrates Its
Thlrtieth Anniversary..Thre De-
cades of Prosperity. -+-Ae.-

ThlrtieIh Anniversary..Thre De-
cades of Prosperity. H-te.
Yesterday was the thirtieth anniversary
of the organization of Plymouth cNurchs an
event of extraordinary interest to thenfenl-
bers and friends of that large congregation.
In the evening the lecture ROOM Of 1.-The
church was filled with people, who listened
with deep interest to "Reminiscences of
the early days, and history
of tine remarkable growth of Plymouth.
The choir gave appropriate musical selec-
tions between the speeches, which were
made by the pioneers of the church. Will
lam Cheney read history of the church
during the first twenty-five years OF its eX-
istence. The eighteen charter members of
Plymouth church included eight Presby-
terians. nine Congregationalists and one re-
ceived on confession OF faith. The first
epastor was Rev. Norman McCloud, who
NJ. Nichols, G. c. Salter, I'll. A. Simpson,
F. Thwing. Mr.. Cheney spoke of the
burning of the first house of worship, which
stood on the corner of Nicollet avenue
and Fourth street in April, 1868. and of the
tragic death of the then pastor, Rev.
Nichols, who, with his wife and children,
was drowned in Lake Calhoun. Following
Mr.. Cheney, the venerable founder of
Plymouth church, Rev. N. McCloud,
made brief address. He said he was not
surprised at the growth of Plymouth church.
1t was founded by men of broad intelligence
and high character, and these qualities,
with Gods blessing, will always bring pros
perity. He gave many interesting details
of the early struggles of the church,
and spoke feelingly OF his abiding interest
in its welfare. Mr.. McCloud is
a pioneer in Congregational church work,
and it has been his privilege to organize
three churches which have grown to be
great centers of ecclesiastical influence. He
founded Plymouth church in Denver and
tine first one in Salt Lake City.
Charles Cushman drew touching picture
of the death of Rev. Mr.. Nichols and the
gloom consequent on that event. Mr..
Cushman was the second superintendent of
Plymouth Sunday school. r. j. Baldwin
said the founders of Plymouth church were
red-hot abolitioniStS, fact which explained
the opposition of the American board of
home missions in the council called to con-
firm their organization Mr.. Baldwin gave
a number of early "reminiscences. His
thoughts turned toward real estate, and he
lOlu llOW tlC SOulS hCiI uoOu w Slcllu VII
the piazza of the Bushnell house and swop
corner lots while chewing their after dinner
toothpicks. Plymouth church bought its
first lot, corner of Nicollet avenue and
Fourth street, for 81, 500, giving in payment
bond. When the church was burned the
lot was allowed to revert to the original
owner. Afterward it was again purchased.
this time by the church ladies, who
paid $500 cash for it. In 1870 it was
divided into business lots. having frontage
of twenty-five feet each OH Nicollet avenue,
and the whole sold at auction for $1,000,
and the brethren fattered themselves they
had made brilliant success of it. To-day
the land, siXty-five feet front on Fourth
street and 165 feet on Nicollet, is worth
over 100000.
A letter from D. c. Bell was read, ex-
pressing keen regret at not being able to at
tend the meeting. H. B. Hudson. the
clerk of the church, then read a few sta
tistics showing the growth of the society.
Since its organization Plymouth church has
received 626 members On confession of faith
and l. 013 by letter; there have been 7S6 re-
movals for all causes, leaving a present
membership Of S53 members; $4S. 1S1. 80
has been given by the church to benevolent
enterprises, exclusive of the contributions
of the Sunday school and young peoples
societies.